The chance at glory only comes once every four years, and this July the greatest athletes on the planet will descend upon Paris for the Olympic Games and Paralympics in their own pursuit of athletic immortality. 

What moments will captivate, excite and unite us? Who will bring home the gold? And what can our Aussie athletes learn from the icons that have come before them? Introducing The Road To Paris – an exclusive podcast series from 9Podcasts and Wide World of Sports that celebrates the achievements of Australia’s Olympic and Paralympic legends.

Hosted by Wide World of Sports Olympic Swimming Commentator, Mathew Thompson, the 16-part podcast series lets listeners be a fly-on-the-wall to candid conversations with some of our greatest Olympians and Paralympians including Anna Meares, Kieran Perkins, Ellie Cole, Curtis McGrath, Andrew Gaze, and Ariarne Titmus as they discuss their own trials and triumphs, glory and heartache – all in the pursuit of Olympic excellence.

The first episode of The Road To Paris is available now, and features four-time Olympian cyclist, and Chef de Mission of the 2024 Australian Olympic Team, Anna Meares OAM, as she reflects on her extraordinary career.

Listen as Anna reveals her childhood Olympic aspirations as the daughter of a Queensland coal miner; how she shattered a world record at the age of just 20, and her remarkable, against-the-odds comeback from a devastating neck injury – incredibly just two millimetres short of a clean break. 

The episode also reflects on Anna’s thrilling rivalry with Victoria Pendleton; how she handled pre-race anxieties, and revisits her inspiring leadership at the Rio Olympic Games in 2016. Now, as Australia’s Chef de Mission, Meares offers her unique perspective on Paris 2024. 

Nine’s Head of Podcasts, Mia Stern said:

“As the excitement builds in the lead up to the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, The Road to Paris takes listeners on a journey of determination, triumph and the relentless pursuit of greatness. Through Mat’s incredible interviews and emotional archival audio of previous Games, every episode will bring us closer to the spirit of the Games and the heart of human achievement.”

The first episode of The Road to Paris is live now, with new episodes dropping weekly on 9Now and wherever you get your podcasts. 

The Road to Paris is brought to you by Woolworths, Toyota and NRMA Insurance. Produced by 9Podcasts in partnership with the Wide World of Sports for the 9Network Australia, your home of the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

Media contact
Caitlin Lynch
Senior Communications Manager, Nine
0432 047 721
clynch@nine.com.au 

Thursday, April 4, 2024